A Wyoming state representative was arrested Sunday afternoon in Johnson County on suspicion of drunk driving, court documents say.
An affidavit written by Johnson County Sheriff’s Deputy Caleb Campbell says William J. Allemand — who is Rep. Bill Allemand, R-Midwest — admitted to drinking two beers before he was stopped in the area of 74 East Highway 16 in Buffalo, the Miller’s Travel Center.
Allemand said he drinks while driving to deal with anxiety, wrote Campbell in an evidentiary affidavit filed in Buffalo Circuit Court ahead of Allemand’s Monday court appearance.
Allemand confirmed Tuesday to Cowboy State Daily that he was arrested in Johnson County on Sunday afternoon, but said the misdemeanor DUI charge he now faces is false and he intends to fight it.
“I am challenging them in court,” said Allemand of the charges. “Because this was wrong. I got a deputy who did not like me knowing my rights, and he pushed it to where if I would have kept my mouth shut, I would have never been arrested.
"But because I did speak out about my civil rights, I got arrested on a false charge. I will be proving that in court.”
Johnson County Sheriff Rod Odenbach, whom an emergency services receptionist said was not in the office Tuesday, did not respond by publication to an email request for comment.
The misdemeanor DUI charge Allemand faces is punishable by up to six months in jail and $750 in fines.
The Affidavit Says …
Campbell’s affidavit says Allemand was driving a blue 2016 Toyota Tacoma with Wyoming plates, and that it was towed after the interaction.
The deputy wrote that Allemand had almost struck a vehicle approaching from the west, and that he’d abruptly stopped prior to impact.
When Campbell contacted Allemand, the deputy noted an open can of Michelob Ultra beer in the center console, a loaded pistol, and four more unopened beers on the front passenger seat, the document says.
Once Allemand was out of the car, Campbell observed what he described as:
• Glassed-over eyes
• Slurred speech
• Poor manual dexterity
• Poor balance
• Belligerent attitude
• Difficulty with instructions
• Slowness in responding to questions
• Incoherent speech/wording
• Loud speech/shouting
Allemand reported he’d had two knee replacements, added the deputy.
Sobriety Test
During a field sobriety test, “driver lost balance multiple times and almost fell,” wrote Campbell. “At this time I stopped the test due to safety concerns for the driver.”
The document says Allemand was arrested and had “significant difficulty getting in and out of patrol vehicle requiring Deputy to support the driver as to not let him fall.”
Campbell wrote that he requested a magistrate-signed warrant for chemical testing.
The affidavit doesn’t give a test result.
Allemand appeared for court Monday and was released on an unsecured bond, court documents say.
Another order says he’s to undergo a breath test monthly.
His scheduling conference is set for Jan. 28, and a trial for May 1.
A bond order filed Monday says Allemand is not to possess or consume alcohol, or enter bars or liquor stores.
Now in his second term, Allemand has served in the state Legislature since 2023. He sits on the House's most powerful committee in terms of influencing the budget: House Appropriations.
He's also on the House Rules and Procedure Committee.
He has been a vocal opponent of government subsidies for a nuclear energy project whose company had been considering the Bar Nunn area for a facility.
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
